In Switzerland each Canton is free to decide its own internal organisation. Because of this there many types and names for smaller administrative divisions in each canton. The term District is used for these smaller divisions.
Amt, Amtsbezirk, District and Distretto
Most Cantons are divided into Bezirke (German for districts). Some are called Ämter (Lucerne), Amtsbezirke (Bern), district (in French) or distretto (Tessin and part of Graubünden).
The Bezirke generally only deals with administration and court organization. The cantons Graubünden and Schwyz are their own legal entities. They have the power to control taxes as well.
No district level in ten cantons
Ten of the 26 Cantons do not have a district level of government:
Uri, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Glarus, Zug, Basel-City and Geneva. Schaffhausen stopped using Bezirke in the middle of 1999. Since the start of 2003 Canton of St. Gallen does not use the Bezirk level any more.
List of Swiss districts by canton
Canton of Zürich
The Canton of Zürich is divided into 12 districts (German: Bezirke). The city of Zürich is its own district.
Canton of Bern
There are 26 administrative districts in Berne
Canton of Lucerne
The Canton of Lucerne is divided into 5 districts termed Ämter:
Canton of Uri
Canton of Uri is not divided into districts: the municipality is the next lowest unit of government.
Canton of Schwyz
The Canton of Schwyz is divided into six districts and 30 municipalities, although the districts Einsiedeln, Küssnacht and Gersau simply comprise the municipality of the same name.
Canton of Obwalden
Obwalden is not divided into districts: the municipality is the next lowest unit of government. See: Obwalden.
Canton of Nidwalden
Nidwalden is not divided into districts.
Canton of Glarus
Canton of Glarus is not divided into districts: the municipality is the next lower unit of government.
Canton of Zug
Canton of Zug is not divided into districts.
Canton of Fribourg
The Canton of Fribourg is divided into 7 districts:
Canton of Solothurn
From 2005, Solothurn's ten districts are combined in pairs into five electoral districts, called Amtei. From 2005, districts are only used for statistics.
Canton of Basel-City
Basel-City is not divided into districts. It is formed only of the city of Basel and two municipalities.
Canton of Basel-Country
There are 5 Bezirke in Basel-Landschaft:
Canton of Schaffhausen
The Canton of Schaffhausen used to be divided into 6 districts (Bezirke) until July 1999. The municipality is now the next lower unit of government.
Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden
Canton Appenzell Ausserrhoden is not divided into districts. The municipality is the next lower unit of government.
Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden
The 6 Bezirke (districts) are the local government level. They are part of the municipalities:
Feuerschaugemeinde is a special-purpose municipality for firefighting, energy and water for the town Appenzell.
Canton of St. Gallen
The canton used to be subdivided into 14 districts (Bezirke) until 2003 January 1, when it was reorganised into 8 constituencies (Wahlkreise).
Canton of Graubünden
Canton Graubünden is divided into 11 Districts. They tend to follow the natural boundaries of the landscape. The districts are further subdivided into 39 sub-districts (German: Kreise):
Canton of Aargau
Aargau is divided into 11 districts.
Canton of Thurgau
The Canton of Thurgau is divided into eight districts. Each district is named after its capital.
Canton of Ticino
The Canton of Ticino is divided into 8 districts (called distretti): Distretto di Mendrisio Distretto di Lugano Distretto di Locarno Distretto di Vallemaggia Distretto di Bellinzona Distretto di Riviera Distretto di Blenio Distretto di Leventina
Canton of Vaud
Since 1803 the Canton of Vaud has been divided into 19 districts:
As of January 1, 2008, Vaud will be reorganized into the following districts: